Fantasy Football Week 3 starts, sits

Welcome to the Week 3 starts and sits. We’ve highlighted some options that we like and some that we don’t like for the upcoming weekend’s games. If you need deeper analysis, join us at Rotobahn.com and check out our comprehensive lineup rankings. If you want information on late-breaking injury information on game day, follow us on Twitter. Just use the link on our home page. Good luck to all this week!

There was a time when you wouldn’t put Big Ben on a start/sit list, but he’s a fringe QB1 these days. This is a week to play him in any format. The Raiders haven’t stopped much, and the Steelers are fully loaded when it comes to the passing game.

Yet another guy I’ve never had to put in this kind of column. We aren’t scared off Manning because of last week. He’ll be back home in Denver, so the noise will not be an issue. He’s a solid play if you don’t have an elite option.

He’s got a solid crew at receiver with stud A.J. Green leading the way. He’s also got a nice foundational ground game led by ex-Patriot BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The Redskins defense has been giving up numbers so far and we expect a high-scoring game overall, so Dalton has a good chance to be throwing for four quarters.

SITS

Matt Cassell, Chiefs at Saints

We have no confidence in Cassel in most situations, but on the road in the dome in New Orleans is certainly not a place we want to play him. You can do better in all formats.

Locker needs to prove to me that he can hit a moving target. Heck, he needs to prove to me that he can hit a stationary one. Locker’s been the most inaccurate QB we have seen in the league this year. No way do we play him until he gets straightened out. Getting stud receiver Kenny Britt back should help, but the Titans are not giving Britt a full complement of reps at this point, so leave Locker on the bench in all formats.

You’ll need to confirm that Matt Forte is officially ruled out, but that seems likely at this point. We think Bush is a borderline RB1 if he is starting at home vs. the Rams. You’ll want him active in just about any format and league size.

By all indications, Ingram is the early down back and primary goal–line runner. He’ll give up carries to Pierre Thomas and snaps to Darren Sproles, but against a team going bad like Kansas City, his role should prove to be a valuable one. Ingram is a solid flex option in bigger leagues and you can use him as an RB2 if you are in need.

Mikel Leshoure, Lions at Titans

This one is a bit risky as Leshoure will be playing in his first NFL game. Leshoure was drafted in 2011 but lost his rookie season to an Achilles injury. Now he’s back after a two-game suspension to start this season. And, if you listen to the coaching staff, this guy is the equivalent of fresh horses. The Lions plan to use him. If you are in a tough spot at RB, you could do a lot worse than Leshoure. There’s a very slight chance that they opt not to activate him due to limited practice time, so make sure he’s a go. This is something we will be updating at Rotobahn.com and on our Twitter feed.

SITS

Shonn Greene, Jets at Dolphins

Greene was unsteady on his feet in Week 2 due to a blow to the head. He returned to the game for a few more carries, but we worry about him until he proves he is OK. More importantly, for fantasy purposes, we worry about the Jets running effectively against Miami the way the Dolphins defense is playing right now. Green is only an option in large formats, and not a very good one.

The Chargers are not a great matchup for Turner. The Falcons will attack the back end of the San Diego defense and we expect Atlanta to get Jacquizz Rodgers more involved, potentially at Turner’s expense. Turner is a guy for big leagues only right now, and he’s a weak option this week in all formats. Oh, did I mention his DUI arrest after last week’s game? Hardly good karma.

Floyd has looked as good as his stats so far, and he is a strong option as a WR3 in Week 3. The Falcons will post big numbers with their aerial attack, so the Chargers will need offense all day. If you have Floyd on the bubble this week, find a way to play him. He’s a strong play in all formats.

It’s not a great matchup, but Decker is a very good player and he’s just missed big plays in Weeks 1 and 2. The big games will come with Peyton Manning throwing him the ball, so stick with him as a solid WR3 in all formats.

Greg Little, Browns vs. Bills

In deep formats, Little makes a decent flex option against a Bills defense that has been charitable so far. Brandon Weeden looked like an actual NFL quarterback in Week 2 after a disastrous Week 1, so things are looking up in Cleveland.

The Patriots are not an easy matchup, and Boldin has looked very heavy-footed on film so far. He did next to nothing in Week 2 against a tough Eagles defense. He’s not a good play outside in very large formats.

Collie is a fine player, but we are very skeptical that he can hold up to contact in game conditions. He’s just been knocked out too many times, and his most recent concussion was not a real nasty hit. We’d make him get through a game before we take the risk.

Blackmon is a good talent, but there are issues in Jacksonville right now. Blackmon has looked slow, probably due to the groin he’s been nursing. He’ll be playable and maybe soon, but we’d sit him this week if you have other options.

TIGHT ENDS

STARTS

Brandon Pettigrew, Lions at Titans

He’s got a good matchup, and the Lions want to get the passing game going after a few sluggish weeks. This is one of the better weeks to play Pettigrew, who is a fringe TE1.

Dennis Pitta, Ravens vs. Patriots

The Ravens throw to Pitta a ton, so he has value in all formats, especially larger leagues and PPR. Joe Flacco has been good against the Patriots in the past and we think he’ll continue to lean heavily on Pitta in Week 3.